New Testament (Matt. 6: 16-18) NKJV
“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly”
Jesus declared that while he (the Bridegroom) was with the disciples they did not need to fast as the Pharisees and the disciples of John did. But Christ does declare there would be a day when He would go away and in those days they would need to fast. Christ states that when we humble ourselves through fasting that we should not let men know what we are doing but perform fasting in secret. Jesus declared that when you place yourself in the Father’s secret place you will be rewarded. What happens in the secret place?
Well, my wife and I have found that Psalm 91 gives a glimpse of this secret place. The Psalmist and God speak of the heavenly exchange that takes place while a man or woman abides or dwells in this secret place. We know from experience that when we press into the secret place through worship, fastings and prayers and supplications that God gives of Himself the one thing that is needed, His Presence. When we expe- rience this secret place God chooses to reward us openly with answers to prayers, or whatever we have been seeking, knocking and asking from Him.
Old Testament (Isaiah 58)
The True Fast
The Issue-Wrong type of Fasting
“Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins. 2 Yet they seek Me daily, And delight to know My ways, As a nation that did righteousness, And did not forsake the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me the ordinances of justice; They take delight in approaching God. 3’Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and You have not seen? Why have we afflicted our souls, and You take no notice?’
“In fact, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, And exploit all your laborers. 4 Indeed you fast for strife and debate, And to strike with the fist of wickedness
.You will not fast as you do this day, To make your voice heard on high. 5 Is it a fast that I have chosen, A day for a man to afflict his soul? Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush, And to spread out sackcloth and ashes? Would you call this a fast, And an acceptable day to the LORD?
Improper Attitude and Actions during Fast:
- First thing is to humble ourselves and repent
- On your Fast day you exploit your workers
- You fast for strife and debate
- You strike the fist of wickedness
- This type of fast is not what will have your voice heard on High